Health

The large population of girls in India without the knowledge of what menstruation is or how to practice safe hygiene is detrimental to the future well-being of these women. Educating girls on menstrual hygiene not only prevents girls from developing compromising health conditions in the future, but it also lays the groundwork for women to feel empowered. Until and unless a woman is comfortable and proud of her own skin, a girls ability to flourish will be impaired. Aarogya Seva is hosting the first international conference on menstrual health in Bengaluru, India, called The Period Junction. While large strides have…

The year 2015 will end on a momentous note for my family--my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Not that the occasion matters to my father. Places, events, dates, anniversaries, birthdays, festivals, names, and sometimes, people too, have become forgotten memories for him. Because my father has dementia. And he is just one of the estimated 4.1 million people with the progressively degenerative condition in India (as per the World Alzheimer's Report 2015). September 21 was World Alzheimer's Day. What is dementia? According to the Alzheimer's Association of the US, “...dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes…

The year 2015 will end on a momentous note for my family--my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Not that the occasion matters to my father. Places, events, dates, anniversaries, birthdays, festivals, names, and sometimes, people too, have become forgotten memories for him. Because my father has dementia. And he is just one of the estimated 4.1 million people with the progressively degenerative condition in India (as per the World Alzheimer's Report 2015). September 21 was World Alzheimer's Day. What is dementia? According to the Alzheimer's Association of the US, “...dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes…

I have enjoyed my transition back to Bengaluru, the city I carry very close to my heart. As I start meeting people and understanding local surgery referral patterns, the irregularities are glaring. I have been blatantly asked by doctors how much I would be willing to pay the referring doctor for a patient. Take for example a patient who is referred for an advanced procedure that costs 10 lakhs. The referring doctor in Bengaluru asks for a percentage, commonly referred to as a "cut". In plain words, a bribe. This is completely unethical and against the standards that doctors agree…

I have enjoyed my transition back to Bengaluru, the city I carry very close to my heart. As I start meeting people and understanding local surgery referral patterns, the irregularities are glaring. I have been blatantly asked by doctors how much I would be willing to pay the referring doctor for a patient. Take for example a patient who is referred for an advanced procedure that costs 10 lakhs. The referring doctor in Bengaluru asks for a percentage, commonly referred to as a "cut". In plain words, a bribe. This is completely unethical and against the standards that doctors agree…

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm: Henrik Ibsen Here's proof that the good folks of Whitefield are ever ready to take the helm.  There are several children in the Whitefield area who require help. Help raise money for young Deepan, who needs funds to support his medical treatment. Read how the community came together to ensure two young boys could pursue their studies. Also see how far the road work in Whitefield has progressed and by when you can expect completion. Finally, with BBMP elections around the corner,  do ensure that you…

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm: Henrik Ibsen Here's proof that the good folks of Whitefield are ever ready to take the helm.  There are several children in the Whitefield area who require help. Help raise money for young Deepan, who needs funds to support his medical treatment. Read how the community came together to ensure two young boys could pursue their studies. Also see how far the road work in Whitefield has progressed and by when you can expect completion. Finally, with BBMP elections around the corner,  do ensure that you…

Public urination is common in Bengaluru. However, some people have no qualms about open defecation too. Pic: Ganga Madappa “What happens in the bathroom stays in the bathroom” was the general consensus at my childhood household. Unless there was a health concern, no one discussed their bowel movements. Ever! It wasn’t until I moved away to college, at 18-years-old, and had to share three bathroom stalls with 40 other girls on my dorm floor that bathroom habits became public knowledge. And then I arrived in Bengaluru. I cannot remember the first time I encountered public urination in India. Perhaps I…

Public urination is common in Bengaluru. However, some people have no qualms about open defecation too. Pic: Ganga Madappa “What happens in the bathroom stays in the bathroom” was the general consensus at my childhood household. Unless there was a health concern, no one discussed their bowel movements. Ever! It wasn’t until I moved away to college, at 18-years-old, and had to share three bathroom stalls with 40 other girls on my dorm floor that bathroom habits became public knowledge. And then I arrived in Bengaluru. I cannot remember the first time I encountered public urination in India. Perhaps I…

File pic. Pic: Yograj S Mudalgi Let’s take a break from the “informed consent” conversation. Recently, a major hospital in Bengaluru was vandalised by a patient’s family. Equipment was broken, personnel were threatened and the care of other patients was disrupted. The incident generated an anxious response from the medical community. Several well-known healthcare professionals from Bengaluru expressed their concerns. As doctors, we work for the well-being of our patients. For most of us, a life saved, a morbidity avoided or a patient’s satisfaction at the end of the day is more rewarding than any amount of money. In fact,…